With its dynamic community and its magnificent setting, Coldwater has an ideal day travel destination, especially during colorful fall months.
In the north scope of the county of Simcoe is the charming village of Coldwater, Ontario. Ideally located a few minutes from the 400 motorway, it allows an easy day excursion destination. While the village is small, every time I visit, I am surprised by the number of things to do in Coldwater. You can browse stores, explore historic sites like the Coldwater Mill, and enjoy many funny festive events like their famous witches.
After countless visits, I gathered a list of my favorite activities and attractions of Coldwater. This guide will share what to do as well as why fall is the best time to visit Coldwater! So, if you are looking for an excursion of a fun day or a fantastic fall getaway, let me help you plan a trip to the village of Coldwater.
The best things to do in Coldwater Ontario
Visit the Coldwater mill
A visit to the mill in the heart of the city is one of the best things to do in Coldwater. This magnificent grain mill, Clade in red, was built in 1833. Sitting along the river, it offers superb photos and inside is a free museum, a gift shop and an art gallery. In addition, Next Door is a restaurant, Mill St. Bistro.
However, the Coldwater mill has a long, sad history Because it was built for and funded by the indigenous peoples sent to the region. I strongly recommend visiting the Mill Museum to find out more. It’s full of photos and artefacts.
The Moulin gift shop is an ideal place to shop in town. It has a variety of items, many made by local craftsmen. In addition, my favorite is the art gallery on the top floor which presents native art.
Take a coffee at EM CAFE
During the wandering of the city center of Coldwater, you must enter EM’s cafe! This pretty coffee has all the comfortable vibrations inside with hot tones, eclectic wooden furniture and my favorite, a brick wall exposed.
Em’s Café offers an excellent range of coffee, tea and an assortment of grilled sandwiches. But one of my favorite coffee treats is their incredible scone. They make them different all the time, but my first choice is the chai scones with a cinnamon frosting.
Coffee also has one of the most instagramable patios in Ontario! Nestled next to the coffee is a small alley with seats and general costs is a colorful range of open umbrellas.
Buy Copperpot nuts
In my opinion, one of the best things to do in Coldwater is shopping! There are so many department stores to collect all kinds of big things, from bath and body products to interior decoration. But my favorite shop is Copperpot Nuts! I stop at each visit for some of their incredible nuts.
This incredible store belonging to women sells a variety of fun and original kitchen items as well as local products such as honey and maple syrup. But their best product is their double roast nuts that are roasted and packed on site. They have everything, from cashews to peanuts in nearly 20 different flavors. My favorite is maple pacans in maple!
Visit Coldwater Canadiana Heritage Museum
A wonderful place to visit for those looking for things to do in Coldwater, Ontario with children, is the Coldwater Canadiana Heritage Museum. Located on 6.5 acres just south of the city center, once the Woodrow HomesteadIt is now a museum to honor the pioneer families.
The museum presents the Woodrow original property with period artifacts inside. It is like a museum of living history which presents what rural life looked like in the 1830s. There are even some original family pieces.
You can enjoy a self -guided tour, wander on the picturesque field along the Coldwater river. There are additional buildings set up as a pioneering village to further highlight the history of the region.
For those who wish to visit, admission is by donation. In addition, the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from mid-May to the end of August. However, they are opened in September and October by appointment.
Take advantage of the Quayle brasserie
One of the best places to visit in Coldwater to have a drink and a bite to eat is the Quayle brewery! Perched at the top of a hill, 10 minutes south of the city center of Coldwater, the magnificent building looks like a historic site. Built in 2016, the brewery is a recreation of a 19th century local monument known as the musical barn.
Covering 12 acres, the Quayle brewery is home to an enveloping patio which overlooks the hops. What is cool is that you can enjoy your drink and your meal inside or outside on the patio, all year round while they bring out households in winter.
The Quayle brewery is not only a place to eat and drink, it’s an experience! It has three floors of seats, with a tasting room and a loft. I love it always happens at the brasserie! They have live music, featuring local talents, Trivia nights and various markets.
Beyond their craft beer, they also have a brilliant menu This has everything, from aperitifs to complete meals and desserts. I highly recommend their macaroni to beer cheese, which uses their homemade beer cheese.
Initiate Council: The brewery is in fact one of the two replicas of the musical barn in Coldwater! The other is located behind the Coldwater mill.
Attend the Coldwater fall fair
One of The best things to do in the fall in Ontario Assist in an autumn fair. And the fall of Coldwater is one of the best fall -city fall fairs in which I went! For more than 125 years, the fall fair has been an essential visit to Coldwater.
The fair takes place every year the last full weekend in September. It is an excellent event for the whole family, with many activities. There is a half-chemin derby, demolition and of course agricultural exhibitions. Inside the arena, you will find it packed with local sellers selling all kinds of goodies, maple syrup with fresh products. The arena is also the place where artistic and craft exhibitions are located.
My favorite part of the fair was all animals! There are everything, horses with sheep. I loved being able to approach adorable baby little cows too!
For those who do not know the city, the fairgrounds are located just in the city center.
Visit the black bazaar
If you like Halloween, you will love the black bazaar! A visit to this city center shop is one of the best things to do in Creemore for the strange and dark. You can get your scary over the year at Dark Bazaar with its assortment of fun and bizarre items for sale.
Inside the black bazaar, sells everything, interior decoration clothes. There is a lot of leading to the horror films and Halloween. Many parts are made locally and are incredibly unique. In addition, each fall, she decorates the porch of the shop and outside with fantastic Halloween pieces like a giant skeleton, a coffin and more.
Attend the walking of witches Coldwater
If you are looking for fun and free things to do in Coldwater, be sure to attend their witches! Taking up for almost 20 years, this annual event takes place on a Friday evening in October. The event is intended for adults, with hundreds of people dressing in witches to join the parade across the city.
Beyond the march of witches, there is a costume competition, live music and dance, as well as cool photo sessions. In addition, there are a number of street vendors. This year, it is October 18, 2024.
More fun things to do in Coldwater
Hewitts Farm Market & Bakery – A basic food in the scene of the farm at the table in the county of Simcoe is Hewitts Farm! And their market is one of the best places to visit to type in maple For their maple products or at any time of the year for goodies. Inside, you will find a variety of items, including fresh farm products, bakery products, interior decoration. Me too, they sell other producers from Ontario as Empire Cheese.
Go on hiking on the Uhthoff trail – The Uhthoff path is one of the many Trails in the county of Simcoe. It takes place between Waubaushene and Orillia for 30 km and is part of the trail trail. It is an easy and flat path, which makes it accessible and ideal for hiking or cycling. You don’t need to do everything, but there is access to Coldwater via the parking lot next to the fire service.
Browse the Christmas villager – One of the cutest Christmas stores in Ontario is that in downtown Coldwater. The Christmas village shares the magic of the season all year round. Inside, you will find everything from Christmas decoration to greeting cards as well as superb gift ideas and toys for children and adults.
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Whether you are looking to explore a new small town or want a fabulous excursion of a fall day, the village of Coldwater offers a memorable escape. While exploring its heritage buildings or browsing unique stores, Coldwater offers a perfect rural experience in Ontario.
Are you looking for more places to visit in the region?
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